Gunmen kill two Juárez traffic officers

By Marisela Ortega / El Paso Times
Posted: 04/27/2011 12:30:12 PM MDT

Two Juárez traffic officers were killed while on duty by gunmen, Chihuahua state prosecutors said.

Javier GarcÃ*a Herrera, 28, was ambushed while riding his motorcycle on Panamericana Highway on Tuesday night, officials said.

Forensic staff members recovered 10 bullet casings from the scene.

According to Juárez officials, GarcÃ*a Herrera joined the Department of Traffic in March 2005 and leaves behind his wife and two children.

Around an hour later, traffic officer Héctor RodrÃ*guez Trevizo, 38, was shot to death while driving in his police unit on Juan Gabriel Avenue and Barranco Azul Street.

Ten bullet casings were recovered from the crime scene.

RodrÃ*guez Trevizo joined the traffic unit in March 2005 and leaves behind his mother, two children and his common-law wife, Juárez officials said.

Also on Tuesday night, two males were shot to death while riding a red 1999 Ford Ranger with Juárez license plates.

Manuel MartÃ*nez MartÃ*nez, 72, and Mario Rivera Aguirre, 42, were gunned down at Puerto Altamira and Puerto PrÃ*ncipe streets within the Tierra Nueva I neighborhood in south Juárez.

MartÃ*nez was found dead on the street, while Rivera Aguirre was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Two unidentified men were wounded and taken to a hospital for treatment.

A total of 20 bullet casings were recovered from the scene.

As of April 27, more than 140 people had been killed in Juárez with a total of 751 homicides so far this year, according to media accounts.

More than seven people were killed Tuesday alone, included two young women in their 20s found tied up in the middle of the street early in the morning.

Marisela Ortega may be reached at mortega@elpasotimes.com; 542-6077.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_17939532